3XN designs new arena in Bergen, Norway | 3xn

3XN has been commissioned by Nygårdstangen Utvikling - a consortium consisting of Olav Thon, EDG Property and Rexirto design a proposal for a new arena and a masterplan in central Bergen, Norway.

The proposal is a response to Bergen City’s ambitious plans for sustainable development of the area. The arena will become a catalyst for transforming the city by becoming an anchor for the development of an entirely new neighborhood that connects the inner city with the waterfront, and that will become a destination for concerts, sport and cultural events.

In many cities, arena buildings are placed on the outskirts due to its scale and proximity to infrastructure. Building an urban arena in the Nygardstangen district in Bergen would make it possible to transform this unutilized central part of the city into a vibrant public district, offering places to live, play, rest and work, as well as maintaining the mobility offerings of the place today.

Currently, this area is characterized by heavy traffic and urban spaces with little connectivity to the rest of the city. Nygårdstangen Utvikling sees the opportunity to create an arena that potentially could become a catalyst and new anchor point not just for Bergen, but for the entire Vestlandet region. It will enhance business in the region, attract large scale cultural and sporting events for audiences from across Norway.

Nytårstangen Utvikling has hired Opus Bergen to head a feasibility study of the area and 3XN Architects to do a design proposal in cooperation with GXN and Arup. 3XN’s proposal introduces the arena as an urban driver, much like a modernday colosseum, that is exciting on days when major events are being hosted, but also offers generous public spaces and activities throughout the year.

The urban arena is designed as the grand living room of a new neighborhood that also includes new housing, a police school, a hotel and cinema.

The entire masterplan aims at becoming an urban connector by stitching the area together with the adjacent districts and by delivering public plazas, vibrant streetscapes and pockets for city life supporting Bergen’s goals of sustainable urban development.

Bergen is a city with a rich cultural and architectural history. Such a central arena requires sublime architectural quality and care for its surrounding context and unique character of its UNESCO heritage.

3XN believes that this new building should be considerate to its surroundings and attempt to benefit and enrich the lives of the people using it and living around it.

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